Miller, Big Boss and Paz from Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker

There was a time when I thought I wouldn’t think of buying the PSP no matter what game came out. My train of thought was, why bother with a handheld portable when I could get better graphics on a bigger screen….enter METAL GEAR SOLID: PEACE WALKER for the PSP.

Big Boss (Solid Snake) in jungle fatigues featured in MGS:Peace Walker.

I recently got the PS3 and Metal Gear Solid 4 and was completely blown away with the system and game that I started following the production of Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker.

From the preliminary artwork to previewed gameplay, the game looked pretty good for a handheld game. The only thing was that I didn’t own a PSP and the last time I owned a handheld game was a Gameboy, which I vaguely remember playing when I was a kid.

Needless to say, Gamestop sold a special PSP Big Boss Pack that included a camoulflaged PSP with the game which solved my problem of not having a PSP and getting Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker.

The MGS:Peace Walker Big Boss Pack.

Snake sneaking around the jungle. The graphics are incredible for a handheld.

A character from Peace Walker featuring the art of Ashley Wood. All the cut scenes are basically done in a motion comic illustrated by Wood.

The game which takes place in 1974, features Big Boss (the modern day Solid Snake’s future nemesis and clone) as he investigates an army in South America and in the process creates his own army.

The graphics on the game blew me away! I was pretty impressed with the graphics so much so that it appears to be PS3-ish at times. With Metal Gear Solid 4 in the PS3, if there was one thing that irked me was the very long and sometimes boring cut scenes.

In Peace Walker, the cutscenes have been streamlined and are comic motion based featuring the artwork of Ashley Wood. All of which made the cutscenes more interesting and exciting.

Probably the biggest negative aspect that I could think of was the controls. Adjusting from a PS3 control to the PSP was a bit of a challenge given there was only one analog control. But after some time and missions, I was able to get used to the controls.

Aside from the main missions, you also get to create an army by either holding up or putting to sleep enemies and then sending them to your home base by the method shown below, which is called by Fulton.  You get to choose who you want for different departments, from the medical ward to the weapons/equipment department. Depending on who you get you can increase the uses of items and increase or enhance the many weapons you gain throughout the game.

Big Boss uses a Fulton to take an enemy to base to recruity into the Boss' army.

Big Boss preparing to take out a guard.

Big Boss using one of the many,many,many weapons to snipe a guard.

When the game was just released and the press got  a hold of the game, most reviewers said that the game was pretty tough, especially in regards to the bosses. I’m not sure if it’s because of luck, or my method of running and shooting, but I found the bosses pretty easy to take out.

The fight with the bosses, especially the last one, is pretty epic. Even though they were pretty easy to take out, there were some bosses after the main game was over that were pretty tough.

After you’ve finished the main part of the game, there are about 129 special missions to do. Although, for the most part, the missions are the same environment as the main game, there’s enough differences to get you playing for some time.

PEACE WALKER is a fantastic game that I’m still playing after weeks after finishing the game.

Probably the hardest battle in the main game for me, although I used more rations than any other point, it only took me 1 try to take it out.

Strangelove from Peace Walker. Art by Ashley Wood. One of best parts of the game is Wood's cutscenes.

Big Boss in a Big Battle with a Big Robot.

Big Boss holding up a guy for intel.

Paz from METAL GEAR SOLID:PEACE WALKER

Hot Toys Berserker Predator

After getting the Metal Gear Play Arts figure of Big Boss, I’m starting to get into figures. I’m really not interested with any Gunplas that are coming out in the next few months so that saves me some money to invest into some well built figures like the one in the picture above.

The figure is the Berserker Predator (or Mr. Black) from the new movie “Predators.” The first thing that struck me about the figure was the mask and the jaw bone that’s placed on the lower face plate. The color scheme is just amazing on this figure and another attribute I just love about this figure is that it’s poseable with 22 points of articulation.

Joseph Tsang painting the Berserker figure. A good pic to give you good idea of the size of the figure.

This figure isn’t your normal figure with it being price around $200, you’re definitely getting your moneys worth with the amount of detail and work that’s being put into the figure, just by judging by the work in progress pictures from Joseph Tsang’s site and the description of what this figure can do and how limited it is.

I’m getting the figure through www.sideshowtoy.com where I’ve seen some high end figures ranging from Star Wars to GI Joe, but I was really never interested in those figures (At one point I did see a Boba Fett figure that looked pretty cool, but it was sold out before I got to pre-order it!).  Now after getting Big Boss, I’m kind of in a figure high looking to step up into even more high end, high quality figures.

I love the color scheme of the Berserker figure and the face mask is just too cool to pass up, and it’s my favorite of the Predator masks I’ve seen so far. I’m really a Predator fan, I thought the first movie was pretty good but the rest with Predator 2 and the Aliens vs. Predator films were just horrible.

I pre-ordered the figure here without even seeing the movie, just based on how the Berserker figure looked on this guys blog.

The Berserker without his mask and some articulation examples shown.

Close up view of the Berserker's mask and light up led lights on the mask.

Berserker's blade. The figure comes with three blades with different lengths.

Joseph Tsang is an incredibly talentend sculptor/painter, you can see more of his stuff here, and it shows! From the intricate textured helmet to the little details on the blade gauntlet, it’s not $200 for nothing.

From what I gather, the release date for the figure is edging towards a late November-early December release and I cannot wait for this thing to come out. I’m definitely going to have to bring this hiking with me like I did with Big Boss…it’s only appropriate that I snap some proper photos of him on top of mountains, near a waterfall or in the forest.

After pre-ordering the figure, I just had to see the movie Predators. As I said, I’m not a big Predator fan, only becoming interested after I saw the figure, and I thought the movie was good. I agree what’s been said so far by the fanbase. I think the first movie is the best, but Predators is right behind it. Favorite parts for me was the beginning of the movie and the Berserker Predator (of course). The very end of the movie was kind of anti-climactic but I understood it had to be done to keep the movie open to a sequel…so there’s hope yet for more figures like the Berserker Predator.

THE BERSERKER PREDATOR BY HOT TOYS

The Berserk Predator and what looks like to be another upcoming figure by Hot Toys.

I just love the amount of detail on this figure. Check out the design on the laser cannon and the color variation on the jaw bone face mask.

This guy can't come any sooner. I love this variation of the regular Predator, especially the red on the head.

Berserk Predator ready to cut someone in half.

The Berserker Predator by Hot Toys and all the accessories the figure comes with.

METAL GEAR SOLID PEACE WALKER: BIG BOSS by Play Arts

Gameboy was my only experience in playing portable games, but that was a while ago and those memories are sketchy at best. I didn’t think I would go back to portable gaming that is until Metal Gear Peace Walker came out and I took the dip and bought the Big Boss pack that included the Peace Walker PSP. The game is incredible and it truly feels like a Playstation game ported to a portable machine.

I’ll probably review the game at a later point, but this article is about the Metal Gear Peace Walker Sneaking Suit Play Arts Figure. After playing the game I went online and got my hands on everything Peace Walker which included this incredible figure which I took hiking with me to the mountains to get some shots.

Big Boss with his big gun.

The last figure I bought was Yoko from Gurren Lagann and I was impressed at that time with the details and the amount of poseability of the figure. This Metal Gear Peace Walker is a substantial step up from my last purchase in terms of the details and poseability in the figure.

From all accounts I’ve seen on the web, Hideo Kojima was involved in some capacity in the production of the figure and it shows. It’s a great replica of the Big Boss character that you play in the PSP game; from the details in the face and insignias to the weapons and shield used.

The Big Boss on the Big Mountain.

Big Boss Side Profile

Big Boss on the Edge

Big Boss on the Mountain

One of the things that impressed me was the paint job and the detailed decals that went into the figure. I love the military green bindings, packs and gun holster (fully operational by the way) on the figure.  All the color on the figure is muted a bit to give it more of a realistic look.

Speaking of which, Big Boss’s face is detailed well with a few slightly different color schemes. And even though he’s got one facial expression, it works with what ever pose you can think of.

Big Boss may not be a Master Grade Gundam when it comes down to posing, but with double jointed legs, removable hands, 360 arms, elbow and upper torso articulation, the figure comes pretty close.

Showing some of the articulation involved. I know Big Boss/Snake never used the weapons in this capacity, but the figure comes with 2 handguns and it looks cool.

Big Boss Dishing Out Big Fire Power

Big Boss with Shield and Handgun.

Alternate angle of Big Boss armed with gun and shield.

Big Boss Putting Somebody to Sleep.

The articulation for the figure is pretty good for what it is. What surprised me when I did get the figure was the weight of it which is pretty substantial given that its plastic. It can be a good thing and a bad thing when you’re posing the figure.

I had no trouble putting Big Boss in different stances on top of a mountain with wind blowing constantly. But if you want to get fancy with the figure (like hard angles or extreme knee bending WHILE standing the figure) it may get a little tough if you’re not on a completely flat surface.

The weakest and flimsiest part of the figure for me was foot articulation. You can bend the foot back and forth, but the solid boot ends stop you at a point. I found at times if I had one foot or the other bent forward that 50 percent of the time the figure would fall.

But I rarely had the figure bent that much and I don’t think anyone buying this figure is going for anything that extreme. It’s not that much of a problem, but if I had to narrow down one weak spot, that would be it.

Big Boss kneeling down to take out the enemy. Articulation is great for this figure.

The box claims 26 points of articulation and for the most part all those points are pretty solid. I had Big Boss bending and angled countless times over a long period of time and the joints are pretty tight and solid.

Now you can move the waist to some degree, it’s limited because of the amount of packs he’s got, but I found the upper torso articulation more than makes up for it. You can turn Big Boss right and left using just that point of articulation. The upper torso can be moved slightly up and down.

Since I’m a Gunpla modeler, articulation for me is something I’m always looking for and given the size and weight of the figure I’m pretty satisfied in what Big Boss can do.

Big Boss Taking Out the Enemy.

Big Boss Big Attack Time

Big Boss with Gun and Shield.

Big Boss on the edge.

I’m not into figures for the most part, but after getting Play Arts’ Big Boss I may have to look into getting more figures. There is a Big Boss Jungle Fatigues figure coming out soon (Click here to take a look at it) that I’m definitely going to get.

Play Arts did a great job with this Peace Walker figure that I’m hoping they continue with more down the line. With the Peace Walker PSP game and this figure, it’s a great time to be a Metal Gear fan.

METAL GEAR SOLID PEACE WALKER: BIG BOSS

METAL GEAR SOLID PEACE WALKER: BIG BOSS

Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker Snake Sneaking Suit

When Metal Gear Solid 4 came out for PS3 years ago I was completely blown away by the graphics and the storyline. I had seen the previous versions of Metal Gear but didn’t have a real interest in the games until I actually played MGS 4. Now this summer comes a new saga to the game as well as one of the best figure’s I’ve seen for a video game.

Snake Taking a Shot.

Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker Special Edition

I’ve seen previews for the game and some demo reviews and it sounds decent enough considering the platform and given that I’m a Metal Gear Solid Convert, after playing MGS4, I’m definitely going to get the game and the special edition PSP.

But back to the figure, it’s just amazing! I love the amount of detail that’s been put into it as well as it’s poseability. There’s been some news regarding other figures coming out as well and I’m hoping they look just as good as this one.

I haven’t really been this excited for a figure in a long time. With the figure and the game coming out it’s a great year to be a Metal Gear Solid fan.

Snake looking bad-ass.

Love the look of the shield and gun.

Getting ready for another head shot.

Waiting to get into some action.

One of the main characters, Kou, pitching during a crucial game.

An anime centered on baseball is something I had no intention on watching. I like my anime with either hardcore science fiction, like Gundam or Akira, or crazy comedies, like the first season of Hayate no Gotoku.

When the first episode of Cross Game came out I had heard so many good things about it, I decided to check it out since the second season of Hayate no Gotoku wasn’t what I was expecting. I was looking for something different. And I’m glad I stuck with Cross Game to it’s end.

Aoba and Kou the main characters in Cross Game.

Cross Game came to an end with episode 50 and I’m amazed that the series was just as good as it ended as when it started.

The anime is based around a high school baseball team trying to get to the championships, but the underlying hook line and sinker for me was the characters relationships, which remains intact and somewhat the same in the end. Which for many anime series would equal disappointment, but left me pretty satisfied and I’m betting the whole audience too.

Aoba in the stand watching a pivotal game.

I think the baseball games throughout the series were well done and dramatic enough to keep you glued in as you watched what implication a game lost or won meant for the characters. For me the best games in the series revolved around a rival team with a stone faced ambitious player named Azuma. One of the best aspects for me in the series revolves around things or people not always what they seem to be.

And Cross Game is just that. From the onset it looks to be a simplistic animated series revolving around a boy and girl’s infatuation with baseball, but from the first episode you can tell it’s much more than that. The first episode has a very surprising moment, something specific happens that caught me off guard, which sets the tone for what’s to come.

There are some advances in the characters relationships throughout the series and especially in the end, but Aoba is still Aoba and Kou is still Kou at the end of the series. I really enjoyed the series and it’s taught me to put aside any preconceived notions of anime series and try something different because you can get a series like Cross Game every now and then.

Aoba is still Aoba in the end.

Close up of the Sazabi MSN 004 using old Canon lens.

After finding an old Canon lens of mine I decided to use the lens for the second part of the project for integrating a video with some closer pictures and using the funnel attack system.

Sazabi with funnel system engaged.

]]> http://www.otaku-surf.com/?feed=rss2&p=2505 2 http://www.otaku-surf.com/?p=2435 http://www.otaku-surf.com/?p=2435#comments Tue, 02 Mar 2010 04:42:17 +0000 admin http://www.otaku-surf.com/?p=2435

The MSN-04 Sazabi (Evolve 2.0)

After a lot of time and a lot of money, the MSN-04 Sazabi by G-System is finally done.  It was definitely worth the investment and time to get the model up and running. I can say that after this project I am definitely interested in getting more G-System models, but it’s going to be a once in a year project since it took five months to get to this point it all compared to 5 days with a regular model.

The MSN-04 Sazabi

First thing you’ll notice with this model is that it’s BIG even though it’s technically a 1/100 (MG for comparisons sake) and HEAVY!! The backpack itself is almost as heavy as the model. You’ll notice in some of the pics where the Sazabi is standing that I don’t have the backpack connected to the model since it will tilt the model over.

I got the NEWG standing base for the Sazabi and it works fine able to withstand the great weight of the model.

Sazabi in flight.

Sazabi with beam rifle.

Sazabi with shield.

G-System did an outstanding job with the design of the Sazabi and if you take a look at their previous work it’s not surprising that they put so much into these models. There is some articulation with this model, but given its size, weight and armor its not a lot, and is some ways comparable to Bandai’s MG Sazabi.

As I said before I do intend to return to G-System again, but it’s going to be a while since to get something like this done takes a lot of time, a lot of help and a lot of money!! But it’s well worth the investment in the end.

Sazabi with beam saber.

Sazabi with Beam Rifle.

Sazabi funnel system and propulsion.

Sazabi with beam rifle

Normally, for something this big of a project I’d be heading to the mountains for a picturesque background, but due to it’s massive size and how much money this thing is I played it safe. However next time I’m heading back to the mountains for a Gundam Fix Figuration Figure.

I think at this time, this model and design has to be my favorite just barely edging out the Zeonography Kampfer, but just barely. Now time to relax for some time…and then head out to the mountains.

Sazabi funnels engaged.

]]> http://www.otaku-surf.com/?feed=rss2&p=2435 12 http://www.otaku-surf.com/?p=2420 http://www.otaku-surf.com/?p=2420#comments Sat, 30 Jan 2010 20:38:28 +0000 admin http://www.otaku-surf.com/?p=2420

PG Sazabi Evolution Enforcer (G-System Design)

After several months I’ve finally got some time to post something to Otaku Surf. After months and a lot of money spent, the Sazabi designed by G-System is finally done. I’ll get around to taking more pictures and doing a proper post on it after I finish a bit more work on this near finished model.

The name Sazabi Evolution Enforcer comes from an idea that I was racking around my brain after I interviewed Yoshiyuki Tomino in New York about Gundam and evolution.

Sazabi Evolution Enforcer in flight.